Buckets Grill opens, music shop expands, art store relocates

INTERBAY — Meatloaf, country fried steak, shrimp and cheese grits, all made to satisfy, is the main fare at Buckets Grill & Comfort Food, which opened July 1 on S Dale Mabry Highway near MacDill Air Force Base.

Prices are low, and expectations are high to serve the military, owner Mark Sierra said.

"If they miss a certain dish, we'll try to cook it for them," he said.

Try the cardiac burger, if you dare: two big patties smothered in Swiss cheese and ghost pepper cheese, topped with a fried egg and bacon. Another biggie is Lefty's deep-fried chicken breast ($10.99), which covers the entire plate and comes with two side dishes, perhaps mashed potatoes and collard greens.

"We have a touch of Ybor with palomilla steak with rice and black beans," Sierra said. Cuban sandwiches are stacked with housemade roast pork.

At $16, giant sea scallops over Parmesan risotto top the menu.

This is Sierra's first restaurant, but working for distributor U.S. Foods has given him industry insights.

"I'm putting my heart and soul into this, and I'm going make it work," he said.

The celebration is under way as the Violin Shop Tampa marks its one-year anniversary by doubling its showroom and inventory of instruments to buy or rent.

"We've been extremely busy and are very happy to be moving into the anchor corner of our block on Henderson Boulevard," co-owner Ethan Morency said.

Enlarging the space and workbench will better serve the Florida Orchestra, other professional musicians and school music programs, Morency said.

The shop's services include making, restoring and repairing stringed instruments, such as violin, viola, cello and bass.

"We didn't know what to expect when we opened last year," he said, adding that he is delighted with the reception the store has received. He invites the public to an anniversary party Saturday from noon to 5 p.m. featuring live music by some noted customers. A trio of two cellos and an upright bass performs at 2 p.m., followed by well known bassist Lloyd Goldstein at 3.

The photographer and printmaker began selling painting, drawing and printmaking supplies — "really all mediums," she says — in a 500-square-foot space in Seminole Heights in January 2013. Three months later, the artist expanded into a 1,000-square-foot location.

Now, the 18-month-old business is relocating into a 400-square-foot store off N Florida Avenue, at the southern end of the neighborhood, just north of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard.

"It's a more realistic setting and will be able to offer more services," Dilbert said, adding that she's looking forward to hosting art classes, workshops and a monthly gallery featuring local artists.

Figure 8 Art Supplies, 103 E Genesee St., is open from noon to 6 p.m. Wednesdays through Saturdays and by appointment on Mondays and Tuesdays. Visit figure8artsupplies.com or call (813) 385-4081.

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